The Cost of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

If you're considering cosmetic surgery, cost should be one of the variables you're weighing in your pursuit of ageless beauty.

The costs of plastic surgery vary greatly, depending on the type of procedure and your geographic location. Generally, the major costs involved are the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, operating room fee and implant fee (if applicable).

According to the newest figures available from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the national averages for plastic surgeon fees in 2010 were:

Surgical Procedures

National Average

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

$5,130

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)

$2,828

Breast augmentation

$3,351

Breast implant(s) removal

$2,288

Breast lift

$4,207

Buttock augmentation

$4,500

Buttock lift

$4,379

Calf augmentation

$3,900

Cheek implants

$2,739

Chin augmentation

$2,000

Facelift

$6,231

Forehead lift

$3,161

Gynecomastia (male breast reduction)

$3,013

Hair transplantation

$4,676

Lip augmentation (other than injectable materials)

$1,683

Liposuction

$2,884

Lower body lift

$7,247

Otoplasty (ear tuck)

$3,054

Pectoral implants

$3,810

Rhinoplasty (nose job)

$4,306

Thigh lift

$4,507

Upper arm lift

$3,729

Nonsurgical Procedures

Botox injection

$375

Cellulite treatment (Velasmooth, endermology)

$230

Chemical peel

$706

Dermabrasion (not microdermabrasion)

$1,200

IPL laser treatment

$470

Laser hair removal

$383

Laser skin resurfacing  ablative

$2,040

Laser skin resurfacing  nonablative

$1,156

Laser treatment of leg veins

$1,030

Laser treatment of leg veins

$404

Microdermabrasion

$146

Sclerotherapy

$354

Soft tissue fillers: autologous fat

$1,700

Poly-L-Lactic acid (Sculptra)

$940

Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse)

$650

Collagen, bovine/porcine (includes Zyderm, Zyplast)

$468

Collagen, human

$475

Hyaluronic acid

$547

Polymethyl methacrylate (Artecoll, Bellafill)

$1,099

NOTE: These plastic surgeon fees from ASPS are national averages and may differ significantly from the prevailing fees in your area. The figures represent physician/surgeon fees only and do not reflect additional fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, surgical garments or other miscellaneous surgery-related costs.

The Variables of Plastic Surgery Cost

Plastic surgery cost totals vary based on the treated area or areas. For example, the total average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body can be up to $4,000, in three areas between $6,000 and $8,000, and in five areas $8,000 to $11,000.

The cost is higher for larger body areas.

Plastic surgery costs also vary depending on overhead costs. The overall average cost of a facelift, for example, ranges from $6,000 to $15,000. Of that, the cost for anesthesia accounts for between $1,000 and $1,300, and the facility fee (or hospital fee) ranges from $500 to $2,000. The remaining cost is the surgeon's fee. There may also be other costs for preoperative screening tests and postoperative medication or supplies that are not included in the initial quote.

All fees are not applicable to all procedures, and there are some procedure-specific fees. Laser hair removal cost, as well as the cost for other laser skin procedures, typically does not include overhead fees for anesthesia or facilities because neither is required. Breast augmentation entails a separate fee for breast implants cost that is included in the overall procedure price.

Key Questions to Ask About Plastic Surgery Costs

When considering plastic surgery, be sure to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. Start your search for the right surgeon now.

Two of the most important cost-related questions you should ask your surgeon during your initial consultation are:

What is included in the fee? Sometimes the initial quote is for just the surgeon's fee and does not include the anesthesia fee, operating room fee or any applicable implant fee.

Are payment or finance plans available?

By selecting a qualified surgeon and asking the right questions, you will improve your odds of getting the best possible return on your investment in your chosen aesthetic plastic surgery procedure.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Report of the 2010 Plastic Surgery Statistics.

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